Traveling usually goes hand in hand with photography.

Nothing beats a photograph in helping you relieve the beautiful moments during your adventures. Keep in mind though that you’re going in unfamiliar territory. Erring on the side of caution is a must to keep you and your gears safe. With every journey you take, keeping your camera safe and intact is a priority. Here are a couple of tips to make sure that you and your gears are safe.

Trust Your Instincts

If you feel like going in that alley is dangerous, then don’t go. Getting a great photograph is not worth it if you’re going to lose your camera. Always err on the side of caution.

Be Friendly

Talk to the people around you. If you’re taking a picture of someone, ask their permission first. Some don’t like their pictures taken and this can cause trouble. Being friendly might even help you find places that are only known by the locals.

“Camera” Bag

Try to avoid bags that are made specifically for cameras. Opportunists are familiar with those and will mark you as a target easily. Using an ordinary bag with some padding will make do for your trip.

Front Bag

Squeezing into crowded places with your bag at your back is a very bad idea. Wearing it at the front can be awkward and funny at first but this will stop opportunists from easily slashing your bag unaware.

Bring Someone

The more you are in a group, the safer it is. If you have a friend with you, advise him to be extra aware of the surroundings and to keep an eye on people coming too close to you. If he is also a photographer, take turns in taking pictures. One should always be watching over the other.

Keep Moving

Try to take pictures as fast as you can. Staying in place will attract attention to more people. A moving target is harder to hit than a stationary one.

Hotel Storage

When going out, don’t leave your other camera gear in the room. Most hotels offer a mini-safe that can easily accommodate your extra gear. You can also store other things in there if the place is a bit sketchy.

Serial Numbers

In case things go awful, keep a record of all the serial numbers of you gear. This is your only record of the items stolen from you. Get a picture of the gear too with the serial number for added credibility.

Insurance

This can be expensive but worth it if you plan on bringing a lot of expensive photography gear. You can get those that cover various incidents such as theft and acts of god.

Traveling with your expensive gear can get worrisome but with a couple of safety precautions and a quick state of mind, you can still enjoy your trip and capture the memories forever. Don’t let your camera hinder the fun, enjoy the moment and capture the light.